Hunter survives grizzly attack

IDAHO FALLS – A 66-year-old hunter is recovering from a grizzly bear attack that left him bloodied but not beaten.

“I’m ready to go hunting again once I get out of here,” Wally Cash said Wednesday, even though he might have to wait until his 20 stitches are taken out.

Other signs of the Gillette, Wyo., man’s narrow escape from the 600-pound beast are a titanium plate in his head and numerous pins in his hands.

Cash was part of an elk hunting party about 30 miles north of Jackson, Wyo., Tuesday.

Cash was alone, scrambling to the top of a steep ridge. The trees were so thick he couldn’t see more than about 3 feet ahead.

When he got to the top, he heard grunts. He turned his head just in time to see the 600-pound animal charge from about 30 feet away.

Cash didn’t have time to bring his .270-Winchester rifle around for a shot. The bear leaped on him, opened its mouth and chomped down on the right side of his head. Cash heard a crunching sound as a tooth stabbed into his skull above the ear.

The bear smacked Cash in the face, tearing a gash across his head and sending him sprawling to the ground.

He waited a few minutes. When nothing happened, he got to his feet. But from behind some trees, the bear emerged again and pounced on him, slashing with its claws. Cash rolled into a ball, protecting his head with his arms.

A few seconds later, the bear ran off again – and this time, Cash stayed still for 10 or 15 minutes. Eventually, he crawled toward his rifle and fired a signal shot.

“Help! Help!” he screamed. He could barely see because so much blood was running in his eyes.

His friends, however, thought he was shouting about a successful hunt and was yelling “Elk! Elk!” Sensing no urgency, they slowly made their way to his position.

When they finally arrived about 15 minutes later, they were prepared. They quickly called 911 and used their GPS to relay their exact location. They bandaged Cash the best they could with a field first-aid kit.

Bleeding and dizzy, Cash hiked about 15 minutes to a clearing where a helicopter could land to take him to the hospital.